Page 107 of Crossed Sticks

Luca reached across the table and took my hand. “It was a hundred percent deserved. My man, the league’s new golden boy.”

The pride on his face had my heart doing wild things in my chest, and I couldn’t help grinning. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you too, babe.” He squeezed my hand and let it go. “Why don’t I tell you what’s on the menu? First, there’s lobster…”

After a delicious steak and lobster dinner, topped off with humongous servings of crème brûlée and chocolate soufflé, we went for a walk. It had been a warm day, so the evening was pleasant. After loosening our ties, I reached for Luca’s hand and led us down Main Street. The shops were closed, but I wanted to enjoy the beautiful night with him.

Whenever we stopped to look at something, he nuzzled my throat or kissed me, making me wonder how I’d survived without him for so long. Sometimes at night, when I couldn’t sleep, I’d wonder how we made it through such an awful time. Our relationship had been brand new, and we’d both been fragile. But the fact that we survived as a couple was living proof of how strong true love is, and how inescapable our connection was. Now, after almost a year of therapy, I could look back and realize that all my past hurts, as painful as they were, strengthened me. They made me stubborn enough to get over myself and realize I’d better not lose the best thing that ever happened to me.

After passing another bookstore—we’d raided it earlier in the week—we turned onto Newport Drive and wound our way down to Town Beach. We both loved the ocean, and Luca suggested wetake off our shoes. The cool sand was refreshing after dress shoes and socks, and the water wasn’t too cold. It was incredible to be in such a wonderful place, walking hand-in-hand with the man of my dreams while the waves lapped at our toes.

Luca brought us to a stop and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Look up.”

It was the last night of a full moon, and it hung huge in the sky. The shadows looked as if they’d been hand-painted, while the moonlight danced across the surface of the water. Glimmering silver rays stretched toward us, reminding me of a similar effect we’d seen on Lake Erie Beach the previous year. Just as I had then, I felt they were beckoning to us, inviting us to join their perfect beauty.

He slipped his arm off my shoulders. “Harp?”

I turned to face him. His tan skin was radiant in the moonglow, which highlighted every chiseled angle of his face.

“I… uh…” His voice wavered, and his lips trembled before they curved into a smile. It started slow but then spread, growing through his dimples and lighting up his entire face until his dark eyes sparkled.

I gasped when I realized what was happening, and the world faded to just the two of us and the sound of crashing waves. Slowly, he sank to one knee in the damp sand, his eyes locked on mine. The sight of him—so strong, yet so vulnerable—made my chest tighten. The moment was so perfect I could hardly breathe.

“What are you doing?” I already knew, but it was like my mouth was on automatic pilot. “Get up. You’ll ruin your pants.”

“It’s why they have dry cleaners.”

My heart pounded, the rush of blood in my ears drowning out the waves. “Sweetheart…” I wanted to say more, but the words caught in my throat.

He reached for my hand and gazed into my eyes. “It took us almost a year, but we made it. Here we are in Maine, and I can’tthink of a more perfect place to tell you how much you mean to me.”

I was still breathless, and my heart galloped like a Thoroughbred in the race of its life. “You’re everything to me.”

“You’re my world, babe. I was not much more than a shell before you—great career, empty person. But everything changed once we met. My reason to get up in the morning had a name: Harper. My thoughts were focused on one thing: Harper. The best sex of my life was with one person: Harper. We went through hell for a while, but remembering that makes me appreciate how good things are now.”

“You’re all I want, Luca.”

“You’ve got me. And because of you, I know what it feels like to have someone living in my heart. Even when we can’t be together, you’re still there, the power that makes my heart beat.” He paused to clear his throat, and I couldn’t miss the tears welling up in his eyes. He swallowed and went on. “I don’t want to live without you, so will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man ever by being my husband?”

I’d thought my heart was racing before, but now it pounded wildly, leaving me dizzy. Luca’s hopeful gaze remained locked on me, and I realized he was waiting for my answer. “Yes.” I sniffled and wiped a few tears off my cheeks. “Marrying you will be the happiest day of my life.”

He let go of my hand and removed a small box from his pocket. When he opened it and held it up, there was a gleaming gold band inside. “Will you wear it, Harp?”

I nodded and extended my hand. Luca fumbled with the ring, nearly dropping it, and I held my breath as the box tumbled to the ground. But he’d held on to the ring, and now he slipped it on my finger. It was heavy, and while Luca got to his feet, I admired how it caught the moonlight.

“Let me see.” He took my hand and held it up again, then brought it to his lips for a kiss. “The ring’s even more gorgeous now that it’s on your finger.”

“I love it. We’ll have to get one for you, too.”

“All in good time.” Pulling me into a powerful hug, he kissed me, making me weak in the knees. Our tongues touched, but he drew away too soon. “Want to head back now? I’ve got a lot more kisses where that one came from.”

“I hope you’ve got a lot more than kisses.”

“Hey, I even brought some new toys along. Been hiding them all week.”

I bounced my eyebrows. “What are we waiting for? Back to Harbor Pointe, quick.”

He kissed me again, and after we found our shoes and socks, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders for the walk back to the SUV. We took turns leaning against each other, as I was sure we would for the rest of our lives. “Thank God we ran into each other a year ago,” I said.

“Thirty seconds either way, and we’d have missed it.”

“We’d have still met that day at the Jitterbug.”

“If not there, then another time.” He opened the passenger door and smiled as he helped me in. “We’re meant to be, babe. And I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.”

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